Can International Students Get Student Loans in the UK?

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Can international undergraduates get student loans in the UK? 

The United Kingdom is one of the most popular countries for international students to study. Famous for its world-class education, graduate employment opportunities, and home to some of the top universities in the world, it’s easy to see why it’s such a favoured choice.  

However, tuition fees for international students in the UK are considerably higher than the ones for domestic students, so it makes sense that you’re wondering if there’s such a thing as international student loans. 

In this blog, we’ll cover: 

• UK tuition fees for international students
• Are there international student loans in the UK?
• International student loans in your home country  
• International exchange programs 

• Scholarships and grants for international students

UK tuition fees for international students 

UK students’ yearly undergraduate fees are capped at £9,250, but unfortunately, there’s no cap on tuition fees for international students. This means that universities can charge as much as they like for tuition, and this figure can vary wildly from university to university. A year’s tuition can be as low as £11,000 and up to as much as £38,000 for some courses! 

If you’re concerned about high tuition fees, check out our guide to the best low-cost universities in the UK for international students.  

Are there international student loans in the UK? 

If you’re a UK student, you can get both a tuition fee and a maintenance loan to help you with your studies. For the 2022-23 academic year, according to Student Finance, you would have received up to £9,250 a year for your undergraduate tuition fees and up to £13,022 a year for maintenance costs (if you’re living in London and away from your parents).   

However, you’re only eligible for these loans if you’re a UK citizen who has been living in the UK for at least three years before your course starts. So, international students can't access these loans, and unfortunately, no other government loans are available for international students studying in the UK. 

The good news is that there are some alternative funding options for international students studying in the UK. We’ll go over some of these options below.  

International student loans in your home country   

Depending on your country of origin, you might be able to get a student loan to study abroad from your home country. For example, if you’re a student from the USA, you might be able to get a private study abroad loan. 

International exchange programs  

Although participating in an exchange program, or a semester or year abroad, is a completely different experience compared to studying for your entire degree in the UK, it can be a great alternate option. If you get a student loan in your home country, this might cover a semester or even a whole year of studying abroad. Plus, if you’ve never lived or even visited the UK, spending a semester in the country might help you decide if you want to study there in the future.  

Scholarships, grants and bursaries 

Many international students who come to study in the UK fund their studies through scholarships, some of which are designed specifically for international students. However, be aware that most of these scholarships won’t cover all of your tuition and living costs. Most of these scholarships, grants and bursaries are also for postgraduate or PhD students rather than undergraduate students, so this is something to bear in mind. 

What types of scholarships are available for international students? 

Several different types of scholarships are available for international students who want to study in the UK. However, many have fairly strict entry requirements and are highly competitive. We’ll go over the main types of scholarships below.  

• Academic scholarships. These are awarded to international students with excellent grades and have a good academic record. 
• Subject-specific scholarships. These are awarded to students who have performed well in a specific subject. They’re usually offered by the relevant university department. 
• Performance-based scholarships. These are awarded to students at a high level in a particular activity, such as sports, dance, music, and drama. 
• Disability scholarships. These are given to support international students who have a disability, long-term health or mental health condition, a learning difficulty, or require extra support. 

• Country-specific scholarships. These are given to international students from a particular country or area. They’ll likely have other eligibility requirements attached to them.
• Equal access or sanctuary scholarships. This financial support is for refugees and asylum seekers who’ve fled persecution in their home country. 

Undergraduate funding for international students 

Universities, private organisations, and charities will offer international students scholarships, grants, bursaries, or fee waivers. Check your chosen university website or search an online database, like International.students.com. 

Postgraduate funding for international students 

There are several government-backed scholarship programmes for postgraduate students planning on studying in the UK. 

The three main UK government scholarships available are: 

• GREAT Scholarships. These scholarships are available for students from 14 countries across various subjects. They provide £10,000 towards their tuition fees for one-year taught postgraduate courses.
• Chevening Scholarships. This is one of the most prestigious and highly competitive international scholarships. It provides full funding for master’s degrees in the UK, including tuition fees, living expenses, and return flights. 
• Commonwealth Scholarships. These scholarships are available to students of commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to afford to study in the UK. 

PhD funding for international students 

There are plenty of PhD funding options for international students in the UK. There are two main forms of PhD funding that you can take advantage of PhD studentships and PhD scholarships/grants. 

We’ve got a detailed blog post, ‘PhD funding for international students’, which covers everything you need to know. 

How UniHomes can help 

After you’ve got your funding sorted out and you’ve been accepted into your dream UK university, it’ll be time to turn your attention to looking for a place to live.  

Luckily, UniHomes offers a huge range of student properties (from trusted landlords and letting agents) in student cities across the UK. So, whatever university you plan on attending, we have something for you, whether you want a central studio flat or a spacious student house to share with your friends. 

The best part? All our properties include all bills. You won’t need to stress about setting up utility accounts or paying direct debits; we’ll handle everything on your behalf! 

Check out what properties we have near your university to find the perfect student accommodation for you.